On January 1, 2009, the qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement was added to the list of qualified transportation fringe benefits covered in section 132 (f) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

The Bicycle Commuter Act was in front of Congress for seven years, and finally passed as an inclusion to the larger Renewable Energy Tax Credit legislation in 2008. The original intent of the provision was to provide a simple, equitable solution to put cyclists on the same footing as people who receive qualified transportation benefits (QTF)'s for taking transit or driving (or parking, actually) their cars to and from work. It was intended that the bike commuting benefit would be treated the same as the other QTF's.

The total anticipated cost of the provision, estimated by the Joint Committee on Taxation, is a very modest $1 million per year, as compared to the $4.5 billion annual cost of parking and transit benefits.

Download LMB's Bike Commuter Internal Guidelines:

Common Questions

How do I pick a route?

Use a local map or your current commute to find roads with lower traffic levels, wide right lanes, paved shoulders or bike lanes.

Is it safe to ride in traffic?

Bike crashes often happen to bicyclists when riding on sidewalks or not following the law. Riding on a sidewalk makes you invisible to drivers especially if you ride against traffic. Obey all traffic laws and be visible and predictable.

That's too far too ride!

Bike one way and take your bike on transit the other way. Drive to a park and ride lot or bus stop to skip troublesome areas and bike the rest.
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